Letter writing and reading

[VanceVanCleaf]

I sit on a scene, where we should see:

The character sitting and writing a letter, and then scenes he describes / the opposite of what he describes.
So far so good. Meanwhile, we hear the letter. Do I use "V.O." here? Even then, when we still see the character sitting there (but not reading)? When he's not in the scene, I think its a clear V.O., but when we can see him?

[Mac H.]

Can you think of some films where the technique has been used? Just read those scripts.

eg:


Quote:

...
They turn and head into the courtroom as we HEAR MARKINSON in
VOICE OVER ...

MARKINSON (V.O.)
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Santiago..."

CUT TO:
INT. MARKINSON'S ROOM - DAY

MARKINSON is writing a letter and we HEAR it in V.0.

MARKINSON (V.O.)
I was William's company commander. I knew
your son vaguely, which is to say I knew
his name...

Mac

[scripttoolbox]

Yes, even when the character is on screen, if we hear him reading the letter in his mind, then it is a (V.O.).

[alex whitmer]

Using VO with the character on screen is a solid and effective way to hear what a character is thinking or reading. Doing a close up of a letter so the audience can read it is risky at best. Short notes are common, as is a letter's opening few lines. Beyond that, it should switch to VO, or even the character reading out loud.

I sure don't want to read an entire letter on screen.

Period films rely a lot on letters as it was the standard form of communication (Madame Bovary).

If it is a long letter being delivered via speaking or VO, make sure something is happening to maintain movement, ie your character is pacing, pouring a drink, getting ready to jump out a window, or watching some other action via a window, etc.

a

[VanceVanCleaf]

Thanks!
No, reading on screen is not a good option, absolutely right. I hate if that happens. Then I'll stop the DVD to read^^

Yes, there's enough action, while we hear him "reading". some battle scenes.

[wks2001]

seriously, it's difficult to tell someone how to write a scene, without knowledge of the scene that precedes it - and the scene that come right after... it's futile.